Son of SHC CJ recovered in K-P raid: ISPR

DG ISPR says TTP splinter group behind Awais Ali Shah's kidnapping

ISLAMABAD: Awais Ali Shah, the son of Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, was rescued during an intelligence based operation (IBO) near Tank (K-P), the military's media wing said on Tuesday.

Masked men kidnapped Awais from outside a supermarket in the city. He was found in Tank, which lies close to the tribal region bordering Afghanistan where the military has been battling Taliban.



Awais Ali Shah enjoys a smoke after he is recovered following an army operation. PHOTO: ISPR

"Awais Shah, son of Sindh chief justice, recovered through an IBO from custody of terrorists from near Tank, three terrorists killed," said the ISPR.

Awais Shah son of Sind Chief Justice recovered through an IBO from custody of terrorists from near Tank,3 terrorists killed.-1/2

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2016

Awais Shah safe with security forces,will be transported back to his parents during the day. Details to follow. 2/3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 18, 2016

Awais was reunited with his family around 9:30am in Karachi.

"I got a call from General Raheel Sharif at 3:00am informing me my son has been rescued," the SHC CJ said while addressing the media after being reunited with his son.



"General Raheel told me he was personally monitoring the case and informed me of my son's safe recovery."

He added, "Pakistan Army is the only one to credit for the recovery of my son."

PHOTO: ISPR

"The army chief was kind enough to let me speak to my son an hour after his recovery, and arrange a helicopter for him from Tank back to Karachi."

"All I know is that my son is back," Sajjad Shah said when asked who was responsible for the kidnapping.



The army chief commended the efforts of intelligence and security forces for conducting a successful operation to recover the SHC CJ's son.

"The COAS also called and congratulated SHC CJ on the recovery of his son," Bajwa added.

Hours after Shah's recovery, DG ISPR Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa shared details of the rescue operation.

"The operation was conducted in DI Khan near Tank around 2:30am based on intelligence reports as over the past few days we had some technical evidence of movement in the area," Bajwa said.

Awais Ali Shah during recovery after the operation. PHOTO: ISPR

“The driver was shot and died on the spot after which the car came to a halt,” he added. "Two assailants came out from the back of the car and tried to intervene."

“Forces approached the car and questioned the person inside the vehicle who was wearing a burqa and he said he was Awais Ali Shah, the son of the SHC CJ,” Bajwa told mediamen.

PM congratulates CJ, security forces

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also congratulated the SHC chief justice on his son's recovery and praised security forces.

“The prime minister lauded the role of intelligence agencies and security forces in recovering Awais Shah, saying the professional and operational excellence of our security forces has made it possible for which they deserve immense appreciation,” a statement issued by PM House said.

A man unlocks Awais Ali Shah's chained feet. PHOTO: ISPR

Karachi has long been plagued by political, ethnic and religious violence, although crime has dropped sharply since the launch of a paramilitary operation in September 2013.

Awais Ali Shah is welcomed by his family in Karachi. PHOTO: ISPR



The country has been fighting an extremist insurgency led by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an umbrella group of militant organisations seeking the overthrow of the government, since 2007.

Violence countrywide has dropped significantly since 2014, when the military launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan, but attacks against civilians and security forces continue.

Earlier this year, Shahbaz Taseer, the son of slain Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, was rescued four years after he was kidnapped by militants in Lahore.

Last month, the US and Afghan forces also freed Ali Haider Gilani, the son of former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, three years after gunmen abducted him.